Thank you Mintychops x

[Goodmum1234]

Unbelievable really.
Friday 19 sept I'm sat waiting for consultant appointment as I'm 40+5.
Had been offered cs months ago due to previous emcs but we decided to try for NATURAL vbac. Meaning no intervention!!! Consultant happy.

I turn up today and have a two hour wait as very busy so I log on and read Mintychops post and all the support. Great I thought, I'm so lucky that I don't have consultants like that!

I finally get called through and a different consultant and I start chatting. I feel unwell after two hr after wait in a hot room, Bp rising and sweating.

I say clearly that I want no intervention but how long do I wait before things have to happen (cs as promised months ago). Oh yes she says I agree but I'll just nip out and get gloves and things!!!!! Please lie on the bed!

Stupidly I got on and she came back in putting on gloves. I just said, 'what are the gloves for?' She said what you are booked in for, a stretch and sweep!!!

Perhaps I'm being precious and pathetic but I then said, no thank you. I agree to you feeling my bump but do not want anything invasive or internal. She said it wasn't invasive and loads of women have it done everyday, are you refusing? Yes I said.

I knew nothing of this, had come alone, had driven alone and I'm pathetically squeamish at stuff like this iyswim? Plus I'm only +5 of a date I believe is wrong anyway. It was changed three times.

I felt terrible as she then goes on about induction and pessaries and syntocin drip. I said again, that's induction and enough to raise Bp!! I do not want vbac with intervention or induction! As highly risky for me.

She finally agrees and says that I should have had cs at 39 weeks on 8 sept but now I'm almost 41 weeks so it could be classed as semi emcs and so I'm booked in for Monday!

Thank you all on Mintychops post as you helped me stay strong throughout and argue my case. I felt tricked and nearly went along but thought no, this is not what I want.

[MintyChops]

My God that's unbelievable all right, how dare she just do that? Presenting it like you were stupid gift not realising why you were there - I totally understand how you felt, like maybe you had missed something....

I'm so glad that all the brilliant support I got on my thread helped you stand your ground. Why are they so obsessed with sweeps and inductions and not willing to allow a natural progression to be the normal order of events?

Well done to you and hope Monday goes really well, x

[PicandMinx]

I am a nurse and I understand the term "invasive". The consultant may say that a stretch and sweep is not invasive - to her it isn't but her attitude is incredibly patronising and fails to take into consideration that for some women, having a stranger shove their hand up their fanjo is particularly invasive.

There is no evidence that a s & s works. I believe that it is the start of the induction process, that can lead to a cascade of intervention, to make sure women give birth to babies in line with whatever the policy of the day is.

Women will feel tricked into procedures because some HCP are not altogether honest with their intentions.

When your consultant asked you to lie on the bed, she fully expected you to comply with her demands. No explanation. No informed consent. She tried to bully and belittle you with the "women have this everyday" rubbish. Trying to shame you into agreeing. Can you imagine how many women just comply? Too frightened to say NO to the mighty consultant.

Good for you OP, for standing up for yourself. Good luck on Monday.

PS You are not precious or pathetic - you are a woman with her own mind!

[Goodmum1234]

Thank you both, feeling great about it all now and managed to host my child's 4th birthday party for 23 children with a relaxed and big grin xx

[MintyChops]

Good luck for tomorrow Goodmum!!